A round up of our bird ringing activities, birding trips and other wildlife sorties within the UK and whenever we get chance, elsewhere.

Saturday, 31 August 2013

Wraysbury Gravel pit - 29 August 2013

A walk around the site the previous day had produced a good number of birds in an area between the sailing club and the CES site across the stream. The section once was an area containing low trees and a fairly extensive patches of blackberries, but due to degradation by 'unofficial' use of the area for grazing ponies, which have almost doubled this year, the habitat is much less, but in what there is, seemed 'alive' with birds. I decided to make a ringing visit the next day, not without some concerns for the nets due to the four hoofed friends, but it went off okay, though the ponies remained ever close and needed a watchful eye keeping on them. With just four nets in a fairly confined area, 60 birds were processed, mainly Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiff-chaff.

About us

We have both been birders for about 30 years based in South Bucks near the West London reservoir complexes.

We have done our bit of twitching in the past, but with other priorities this has become a much reduced activity with a preference for seeing new birds where ever our travels take us.

We regularly visit Cyprus.

We both have been ringing since 2005. Our local group is the Runnymede RG. Chris is a member of the North Thames RG and we have associations with Birdlife Cyprus Ringing scheme, East Yorkshire, Farlington, NOA, North Norfolk Farmland Study and Swale Wader RGs.

We operate sites at Stanwell Moor just west of Heathrow airport and Black Park County park, Bucks. We also do ring at home, and a couple of other local sites. We also ring with our RG at Chobham Common, Hilfield reservoir and at the Wraysbury GP complex.

Chris also has an interest in Butterflies and contains his limited photographic skill to them.

Ringing Recoveries

Merlin Ringing Supplies

We are new in providing Mist Nets and at this stage, have a restricted range and stock in hand is limited. We hope to be able in time a variety of net sizes. We also aim provide a selection of items that you will find useful during ringing activities. If we do not supply a particular item, we aim to try and direct you to the right supplier.www.merlinringing supplies.co.uk